We have a lot of compatible parts in the ecosystem now. This means that the number of possible combinations should be in the thousands for the base laptop (what’s being assembled in the factory, not the parts that are added to the package later, like expansion cards) if not more.
How we differentiate each “base laptop” is by creating different SKUs for them. For the DIY Framework Laptop 13 Pro, we have 3 options based on the processors. Everything else is added to the package later (and installed by the customer).
When it comes to the Prebuilt, it gets trickier. We have different SKUs for different processors. We also have different SKUs for the operating systems, one for Windows and one for Ubuntu. They are preloaded, which means they need to be different SKUs. Just by adding OS selection, we have doubled the SKUs. Instead of Ultra 5 and Ultra X7 (2 options), we now have 4 options (Ultra 5 with Windows, Ultra 5 with Ubuntu, Ultra X7 with Windows, and Ultra X7 with Ubuntu).
But we also have language options. Prebuilt input covers are installed by us, not the customer. Let’s say that we want to add US English, German, and French options for all available SKUs. It means that we would need to triple the number of SKUs to manage (12). If we want to add 5 languages, it would mean that we would have 5x the SKUs to manage(20)
Some people are interested in a Silver option for Pro. That would also double the number of SKUs, every version x2, one for Graphite and one for Silver.
And if we add a non-touchscreen option for every single SKU we are managing, yes, that would also double the number of SKUs we are managing.
Basically, any “option” we add to the base laptop that is built at the factory would multiply the number of physical SKUs to manage. This means that certain combinations would often be out of stock, the cost of managing these SKUs would be very high, and customers would have an even harder time deciding what to get in the configurator. And if we make these options available only under certain conditions (let’s say only for Ubuntu Ultra X7 but not for Windows 11 Ultra 5), it would mean that the configurator logic would become very confusing. Each selection would block you from choosing something else, making the configurator experience even more confusing.
Giving freedom to choose is something we believe in, but when you have thousands of possible combinations (what if I want a Prebuilt Framework Laptop 13 Pro with an Ultra X9 processor, a Framework Laptop 13 top cover, original glossy display, silver input cover, orange and gray colorway keyboard but in Japanese, a Graphite touchpad, 16 GB memory, 8TB storage, Ubuntu installation, and a red bezel?), we have to draw the line somewhere and focus on what’s requested by the majority of our customers. This is based on community feedback, post-purchase surveys, and combinations that make sense (like more powerful processor options having more RAM and higher storage capacity on prebuilt). There is no possible way for us to support all combinations.
But here’s the thing: if you are looking for something very, very specific, you can definitely build your own laptop from marketplace parts. Like Zoe said, you can get the bottom cover upgrade kit, a mainboard of your choice (along with compatible SSD, RAM, and Wi-Fi card), a top cover of your choice, and a non-touchscreen display, and build your own semi-pro laptop. This is definitely an option. However, it’s going to cost you more because it’s not the traditional way (i.e., ordering from the configurator).
Basically, you can either order from the configurator (cheaper) or select each part and do a custom build (which may cost more if you choose mostly Pro parts), but you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Hope it makes sense.
(Really, I have a ThinkPad x13 with touchscreen…but I actually don’t touch it…)